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Spiritual Direction for Teacher Wellbeing, Identity and Resilience
Get PDFAmid growing teacher dissatisfaction and attrition, this 2022 research project explored the potential benefits of spiritual direction in enhancing teacher well-being, identity, and resilience. The study involved 11 trained spiritual directors providing eight sessions of spiritual direction to 38 teachers from Australian Christian schools. Findings highlight the positive impact of spiritual direction on teachers\u27 vocational clarity, self-awareness, and ability to manage workplace challenges. Participants reported a renewed commitment to their profession, improved emotional resilience, and a deeper connection between their spiritual and professional identities. Many educators also noted that spiritual direction provided a confidential and reflective space to process professional struggles, make discerned decisions, and align their teaching with their core values. This research suggests that spiritual direction can serve as a valuable resource in addressing the growing challenges faced by educators, offering a means to reconnect with their purpose, strengthen resilience, and enhance overall well-being. While spiritual direction is not a solution to systemic issues such as teacher shortages or workload pressures, it presents a meaningful support mechanism for sustaining teachers in their vocation
The health of people in Lithgow, NSW 2025
No full textThis report presents a profile of the health of the population of Lithgow Local Government Area, the underlying social, economic and environmental determinants of health, the availability and accessibility of health services, and the existing health-supporting activities of other sectors such as the Lithgow City Council, non-profit organisations and the education sector. This study was undertaken through a collaboration of the UNDA Lithgow Rural Clinical School with the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Public Health Unit, Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network and the Lithgow City Council.https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/med_reports/1000/thumbnail.jp
Catholic Jesuit Evangelisation in India: The Successes and Challenges of Cultural Accommodation and Inculturation
Get PDFSince its inception as a Catholic religious order in 1540, the Society of Jesus continues to be the prominent instrument of Catholic Mission evangelization in the world. There is no bigger example of this than in the country of India. Given that India is a predominantly Hindu nation, Jesuit Catholic evangelization efforts is remarkably successful as well as revealing of complexity. These successful missionary efforts (in terms of number of conversions and Jesuit influence) have not been without its challenges, questions, controversies, and sacrifices of both the Jesuits and the local Indian people. This manuscript presents a historiography of Jesuit Catholic evangelization for the last 475 years in India
Exploring the Perceived Impact of Hearing Impairment on the Mental Health and Well-being of Adults
No full textThis thesis explores the perceived impact of hearing impairment on the mental health and well-being of Australian adults, responding to a growing need to understand how hearing challenges affect people beyond clinical or audiological measures. While hearing impairment is commonly framed through medical or functional models, its psychosocial effects remain underexplored, particularly in relation to stigma, identity, and mental well-being. This study addresses that gap by centring lived experience and examining how adults with hearing impairment navigate everyday life, social expectations, and systemic barriers. Grounded in a constructivist-interpretivist paradigm and informed by a disability studies lens, the research investigates the cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of hearing impairment across personal and professional contexts. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 Australian adults who self-identified as having hearing impairment. Thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed psychological challenges linked to communication difficulties, societal attitudes, and the limitations of hearing aids. Participants described the cumulative effects of external judgement and internalised stigma, which contributed to emotional distress, social isolation, and pressure to ‘pass’ as able-bodied. At the same time, the study identified expressions of resilience and agency, including self-advocacy, community connection, and a range of coping strategies. These accounts highlight the need to move beyond clinical definitions and audiometric criteria to acknowledge the broader psychosocial dimensions of hearing impairment. Key barriers were identified, including financial and accessibility challenges related to assistive technologies, as well as systemic shortcomings in recognising and addressing the everyday impact of hearing impairment. By challenging deficit-based and medicalised narratives, this research offers a more nuanced understanding of how hearing impairment is experienced and negotiated. It foregrounds the voices of those directly affected, revealing underexplored dynamics of exclusion, adaptation, and identity. These insights provide a foundation for inclusive mental health strategies, informed policy development, and advocacy that reflects the complexity of lived experience
Characterizing cancer-related cognitive impairments and impact on quality of life in women with metastatic breast cancer
No full textPurpose: Little is known about cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI) in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The purpose of this study is to (1) comprehensively describe CRCI and any associated psychosocial and behavioral symptoms, (2) determine observable sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for CRCI, and (3) explore cognitive and psychosocial predictors of quality of life and social functioning in women living with MBC.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, women with MBC completed assessments (objective and subjective measures of CRCI including 3 open-ended questions, measures of psychosocial and behavioral factors, and assessments of quality of life and social function), and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, qualitative content analysis, correlation analyses, t tests, analysis of variance, and linear regression models.
Results: Data from 52 women were analyzed. 69.2% of the sample reported clinically signifcant CRCI and 46% of the sample scored\u3c1 standard deviation below the standardized mean on one or more cognitive tests. Those with triple-negative MBC (compared to HER2+), recurrent MBC (compared to de novo), and no history of chemotherapy had worse subjective CRCI, and those without history of surgery and older age had worse objective CRCI. Subjective CRCI, but not objective CRCI, was significantly associated with quality of life and social functioning.
Conclusion: Subjective and objective CRCI are likely a common problem for those with MBC. Subjective CRCI is associated with poorer quality of life and lower social functioning. Healthcare providers should acknowledge cognitive symptoms, continually assess cognitive function, and address associated unmet needs across the MBC trajector